The "presumption of legitimacy" is a
common law
In law, common law (also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law) is the body of law created by judges and similar quasi-judicial tribunals by virtue of being stated in written opinions."The common law is not a brooding omniprese ...
rule of evidence that states that a child born within the subsistence of a marriage is presumed to be the child of the husband.
Early history
Paternity is considered an important issue in determining the
rules of succession.
were originally excluded from royal succession,
hereditary titles
Hereditary titles, in a general sense, are nobility titles, positions or styles that are hereditary and thus tend or are bound to remain in particular families.
Though both monarchs and nobles usually inherit their titles, the mechanisms often di ...
, and property.
See also
*''
Mater semper certa est''
References
Family law
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